Chapters 9–11: Nicholas falls in love with a poor artist, Madeline, who is supported by the Cheerybles. Nicholas agrees to pay for some of her paintings without her father knowing that the money comes from the Cheerybles. What Nicholas doesn’t know is that she is to marry one of her father’s creditors, Arthur Gride. Ralph and Squeers pretend that their friend Mr Snawley is Smike’s father and they almost get away with taking the boy with them. The Nicklebys are increasingly more worried about the boy’s character and health. When Nicholas learns that Madeline is about to marry Gride, he tries to persuade her not to do so. He finally saves her from the marriage.